Bhutan’s festivals, or Tshechus, celebrate everything from legendary Buddhist Gurus to the arrival of rare migrating birds, and they dominate the country’s yearly calendar. These vibrant celebrations are typically held in majestic monasteries and dzongs across Bhutan and feature sacred masked dances, colourful costumes, blessings and rituals. Attending a festival is a deeply authentic experience that gives travellers a rare glimpse into Bhutanese life.

Here’s our guide to eight festivals in Bhutan that you experience on a KE Adventure trip

Unlike typical Tshechus, which focus on Buddhist rituals, the Jomolhari Festival (also known as Chomolhari) celebrates mountain culture, community spirit and wildlife conservation, with a special focus on the elusive snow leopard. Set high in the remote villages at the base of Mount Jomolhari, one of Bhutan’s most sacred and breathtaking Himalayan peaks, this festival is a rare opportunity to experience authentic highland life. Accessible only on foot, it usually takes place around mid-October, offering visitors stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions and an unforgettable journey into Bhutan’s heart. You have the opportunity to visit this unique one-of-a-kind festival on the trip below.

This annual religious and cultural festival is held at Tashichho Dzong, the capital’s fortress-like monastery in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, usually in September or October. It is one of the largest festivals in Bhutan and a major highlight of Bhutanese life, attracting locals from across the country and international visitors. It is held in honor of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and is intended to bless participants, remove sin and promote spiritual merit. The festival culminates with the unveiling of Guru Thongdrel, a massive embroidered painting. Visit this festival on these trips below:

The Black‑Necked Crane Festival is an enchanting annual event in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan, celebrating the arrival of the endangered black‑necked cranes from the Tibetan Plateau each November. Held at Gangtey Monastery, it blends cultural performances, traditional mask dances and the famous crane dance by local children. The festival is a chance for the villagers to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of this majestic bird, which shares their home for the winter months. It’s both a spiritual and ecological celebration, reflecting Bhutan’s harmony with nature. For wildlife lovers and culture enthusiasts, it’s a magical, must‑see event. Visit this festival on the trip below:

Bhutan’s traditions are always evolving and this is the newest of the Bhutan festivals and joined the yearly calendar just a few years ago. Developed in reaction to the fact that the majority of the country's festivals are in the more "accessible" regions, the Laya Royal Highlander festival takes place in the mountainous northern area of Bhutan and is a now an annual celebration of nomadic highlander traditions. There's dancing, wrestling, horse racing and mountain running, a brilliant show to reward the two days of trekking it will take you to reach this remote location. You can visit this festival on the trip below:

Among the biggest of the Bhutan festivals, the Paro festival is normally in April each year. The highlight of this celebration is on the last day: the unfurling of the Giant Silk Thangka depicting Guru Rinpoche. The Thangka is unfurled at dawn and rolled away again just hours later. There are a series of ritual dances on each day of the festival which are divided into three categories: those that give moral instruction, those that drive away evil spirits and those that celebrate the Buddhist faith in its many guises. Bhutanese families who travel from all around to join the celebrations, are all dressed in their finest clothes. You can visit this festival on the trips below:

Talo Goemba is a beautiful monastery, dating back to the 17th century and occupying a spectacular location high up on the west side of the Punakha Valley, at an elevation of around 2,400m. It’s a smaller, more intimate festival compared to major Tshechus and features lively atsara (clown) performances and the unique Zhungdra classical songs performed by the local Talo dance troupe. This festival gives visitors a close-up view of masked dances, rituals and local traditions and is normally held in March or April each year. You can visit this festival on the March departure on this trip below:

The Thangbi Mani Festival is a traditional Bhutanese celebration held annually in the historic Thangbi Lhakhang, a 15th‑century temple founded by the Shamar Rinpoche in the Bumthang Valley. It’s famed for its fire blessing (Mewang) ceremony, where lay monks perform purification rituals and participants jump over flames to cleanse themselves of misfortune and negative energy. The festival also features masked dances and folk performances symbolising peace, prosperity and protection for the community. It typically takes place in September or early October. You can visit this festival on the September departure on trip below:

Jambey Lhakhang is held at one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo who pledged the building of 108 temples during his lifetime. This temple can only be visited by special permission which we obtain for our groups. It is held over several days in October or November and features masked dances, fire blessing rituals and the famous naked or semi-naked torma dancers, which symbolise the purification and protection from evil spirits. You can visit this festival on the October departure on the trip below: